Brixton club in Redondo Beach may close its doors

The future of Brixton, a perennial hotspot on the Redondo Beach pier for live music, appears to be in limbo as speculation mounts that the concert venue might close its doors at the end of January.

Brixton manager Don Cesario said this week that he could not speculate about the future of the club and there's "no definitive answer at this point" past January. He did say that three concerts booked this month - Nowhere Fast today,, L.B.D.A. on Jan. 25 and Too Short on Jan. 26 - will go on as scheduled.

"There are a few different possibilities that may come into play," he said. "Included in those possibilities are new management and a different programming module as well as the possibility of new ownership as the pier takes on its rebirth and moves forward."

Cesario added, "I can say that both the city of Redondo Beach and the landlord there have been and continue to be involved and very helpful throughout this process."

Redondo Beach Planning Director Aaron Jones and Pete Carmichael, the city's harbor, business and transit director, believe the venue is staying, but maybe with a few changes under new ownership that took over a few months ago.

"They are going through some significant upgrades, just some new investment," Carmichael said.

Jones added, "Our understanding is that Brixton has every intention of continuing, however ... last I heard the new name of the venue might be Shelter instead of Brixton, but continuing much in the same way that they have."

Jones called Brixton "one of those high points at the pier. It's a great venue and attracts a nice crowd to the harbor."

The city owns the land, and RDR Properties owns the leasehold of Redondo Landing, where Brixton makes its home at the entrance of the Redondo Beach pier. A major face-lift of the Redondo Landing began last year with a new facade reminiscent of bygone days, among other renovations, which are a joint effort of the city and developer Bob Resnick of RDR Properties.

New ownership of Brixton took over in August of last year. Resnick could not be reached for comment.

The speculation came to a head on social media last week when a former employee, Julian Douglas, who had been laid off with his wife, posted on Facebook that he was "utterly disgusted" that Brixton was closing.

"So many gave so much for such a historic club only to see a new owner run it into the ground in a matter of months - tragic, absolutely tragic," Douglas wrote. "I only hope a new owner that cares about people and music comes in that will bring the venue ... back to the 80s, and it will restore to its past glory!"

Shortly after that was posted, Brixton responded.

"It is unfortunate that a friend of the Brixton felt it necessary to use this forum to spread hurtful untruths and false information about the operation and future of the venue. While it is true we are slowing production for the off-season, as the pier is not busy this time of year, we have not made any official closing announcements."

Brixton continued: "We are currently working with the landlord as well as interested parties to find solutions that will allow the Brixton to continue programming and operations as we move forward. This may or may not be possible, however, we have spent countless hours since taking over operation of a struggling business trying to develop a model that will work for a long-term solution here at the pier.